Heavy smoke in Lode may pose health risks

SAN ANDREAS - Mother Lode fitness buffs may want to reconsider their morning workouts for the next few days. Mornings are when unhealthy levels of smoke are likely to be the worst in communities such as Angels Camp and Murphys thanks to a fire in Tuolumne County.

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By Dana M. Nichols

recordnet.com

By Dana M. Nichols

Posted Aug. 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Dana M. Nichols

Posted Aug. 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Smoke health tips

The Calaveras County Department of Public Health advises those sensitive to wildfire smoke to take the following measures when smoke is present:• Stay indoors and limit physical activity...

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Smoke health tips

The Calaveras County Department of Public Health advises those sensitive to wildfire smoke to take the following measures when smoke is present:

SAN ANDREAS - Mother Lode fitness buffs may want to reconsider their morning workouts for the next few days. Mornings are when unhealthy levels of smoke are likely to be the worst in communities such as Angels Camp and Murphys thanks to a fire in Tuolumne County.

The Power Fire, burning in the Stanislaus National Forest northeast of Beardsley Reservoir, was at 500 acres and growing Tuesday afternoon, according to National Forest representatives. Calaveras County agencies are warning residents of potentially unhealthy smoke from the fire.

While healthy adults usually recover quickly from limited smoke exposure, some groups including those with health conditions may be more vulnerable, according to an alert from the Public Health Department.

The agency advised that the elderly, children, infants, pregnant women, and people suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, and lung disorders as well as smokers should take precautions.

Stanislaus National Forest spokesman Jerry Snyder said in an email that prevailing air movement in the region tends to go down-slope at night, bringing smoke from the Power Fire into lower-elevation communities such as Murphys, Angels Camp and Sonora.

During the day, in contrast, winds out of the west tend to push the smoke back uphill.

A wildfire smoke warning issued by the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District specifically targeted Highway 4 communities from Dorrington to Angels Camp. However, heavy smoke was also present Tuesday morning in areas further to the north, including San Andreas and Mountain Ranch.

Investigators Tuesday had not yet determined the cause of the Power Fire, which began around 6 a.m. Monday on the southeast side of the Middle Fork Stanislaus River northeast of Beardsley Reservoir.

Snyder said there had been two minor injuries to personnel fighting the fire and that a fire engine was damaged when the hollow core of a 40-inch-diameter oak burned through and the tree fell on the engine. None of the crew were hurt because they were all out of the engine laying hose.

A regional fire incident management team from Southern California was scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday to take responsibility for managing the Power Fire from a command post at Dodge Ridge Ski Area near Pinecrest.

The fire was considered 10 percent contained Tuesday, with potential to grow as it moves up slopes and canyons.